Paddle boats

ABSTRACT

A paddle boat having a hull and a series of paddle blades mounted on a paddle carrier track centrally disposed fore-and-aft of the hull, the paddle blades being driven around the track.

United States Patent Inventor Frederick C. Ashford [56] References Cited 7 Egerton Gardens, London. S.W.3, UNlTED STATES PATENTS A l N ggglgzg 113,951 4/1871 virdm 11S/63 Flld' 0 Fehn] 1969 278,027 5/1883 Larsen..... 11s/63 Patented Feb. 2. 1971 1,635,854 7/1927 Miller 115/63 Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Farrell Attorney-Bacon & Thomas PADDLE BOATS 4 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs. U.S. Cl..i 11S/63 ABSTRACT: A paddle boat having a hull and a series of padlnLCl B63h 3/00 dle blades mounted on a paddle carrier track centrally Field of Search 11S/19,20, disposed fore-and-aft of the hull, the paddle blades being 63, 5 3 driven around the track.

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` /N VE N TOR FRE? ER/c/f C. 45mm/w A T TURNEYS PADDLE oATs This invention relates to paddle boats. According to the present invention there is provided a paddle boat comprising a hull` a paddle supporting track mounted on the hull in a substantially' vertical plane. an endless paddle carrier on the track and capable of movement along the track. paddle blade assemblies carried by the endless paddle carrier and means for imparting movement of the endless paddle carrier and hence the paddle blade assemblies along the track. In a further feavture of the invention the paddle blade assemblies cooperate with the track to effect an alteration in the attitude of each paddle blade in relation to the track as it passes along the track` the plane of each paddle blade above the hull lying at an acute angle to the vertical plane of the track and the plane of each paddle blade below the hull being substantially at right angles to the vertical plane of the track.

Two embodiments of paddle boats constructed according to the invention will now be described` by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a diagrammatic side elevation of a paddle boat constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the paddle boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a further form of paddle boat constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the paddle boat of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a paddle blade assembly and endless paddle carrier of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a part-sectional front view of the assembly and carrier of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a paddle blade assembly carrier and track with the blade in one attitude;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 with the blade in a second attitude;

FIG. FIGS. 9, 10 and ll are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the paddle boat may be steered;

FIG. l2 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the paddle blades in various attitudes;

FIG. l3 is a diagrammatic developed illustration of the position of the paddle blades of FIG. l2; and

FIG. I4 is a view similar to FIG. 13, showing how the paddle boat may be steered through an arcuate course.

Referring first to FIGS. l and 2, a paddle boat includes a hull 1 which may be steered by a conventional rudder (not shown). Mounted on the hull 1 and in a substantially vertical plane is a paddle supporting track 2 which is of channelshaped cross section and which receives an endless paddle carrier 3 capable of movement along the track. This endless paddle carrier may be in the form of a belt or band either continuous or made up of segments linked together. Mounted on the endless paddle carrier is a plurality of paddle blade assemblies 4 each having a paddle blade 5 and a mounting 6.

Means is provided within the hull l for imparting movement of the endless paddle carrier 3 and hence the paddle blade assemblies 4 along the track 2 and this means includes an engine 7 supplied with fuel from a tank 8, the engine output shaft 9 carrying a starting pulley l0 and tlywheel 11 and driving a gearwheel 12 through a universal coupling 13. The gearwheel 12 drives a sprocket 14 through suitable conversion gearing l5 and the sprocket 14 meshes and drives a rack 16 which fomis part of the endless paddle carrier 3.

Suitable controls (not shown) will be provided within the hull l for the helmsman to control the speed and course of the boat.

A further form of paddle boat constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8 and comprises a hull 17 showing a helmsman 18 seated therein. A paddle supporting track 19 is mounted on the hull in a substantially vertical plane and an endless paddle carrier 20, in the form of pivoted links` 21, shown more particularly in FIG. 5, is positioned on and capable of movement along the track 19. A plurality of paddle blade assemblies 22 are carried by the endless paddle carrier 21 and a motor, indicated at 23 in FIG. 3, imparts movement to the endless paddle carrier 2l and hence the paddle blade assembly 22 along the track l9.

The links 2l` which make up the endless paddle carrier 20, are pivotally connected together by pins 24 having bearing elements 25 at each end which, as will be seen from FIG. 6, bcar upon the paddle supporting track 19. Each link 2l is provided with a rack 26 which. when all the links are connected together, form a continuous rack around the track 19 and enables motion to be transmitted to the endless paddle carrier through suitable gearing from the movement imparting means 23.

Each link 21 carries a paddle blade assembly 22 by virtue of a pin 27 which extends radially outwardly from the link 2l and engages within a hole within a mounting 28 of the paddle blade assembly. Each mounting 28 is provided with a recess 29 for the reception of a retaining member 30 for retaining the paddle blade assembly in position on the pin 27. Each mounting 28 is provided with two integral blades 30 and a plate 31 from which extend two projections 32 and 33 for varying the attitude of the paddle blade assembly in relation to the track 19. These projections 32 and 33 are provided with antifriction bushes 34 and 35 respectively so as to promote free running of the projections within the track 19.

In order to minimize interference with vision of the helmsman and drag which may be caused by head wind. the paddle blades are faired during the majority of their movement out of the water and this is indicated diagrammatical in FIG. l2. In this particular embodiment, there are twenty-four paddle blade assemblies and the attitude of any given paddle blade is identified by the letters A to X in FIG. l2. With a paddle blade in a position either A to E or S to X. the blade will be in the position indicated in FIG. 7. i.e. faired, whereas with a paddle blade in a position H to P, the paddle blade will be in the position indicated in FIG. 8 if a straight course is adopted by the helmsman. In the intermediate positions F and G and Q and R, the paddle blades will be in an intermediate attitude between the attitudes illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 12 the water line is indicated at 36.

Extending through the positions A to E Iand S to X i.e., with the paddle blades completely out of the water, the track 19 will take the form illustrated in FIG. 7, i.e. a single channel section with two sidewalls 37 and 38 against which the projections 32 and 33 bear respectively. Between the positions F to R the track 19 is divided into two channels 39 and 40, the track 39 receiving the projection 32 and the track 40 receiving the projection 33. The contours of these tracks 39 and 40 are illustrated in FIGS. 9 to l1. In FIGS. 9 to 1 l the position of the helm is indicated at 41 and the movement of the paddle blade assemblies over the track is from right to left of the FIGS. As will be seen from FIG. 9, with the helm amidships, in positions C D and E the projections 32 and 33 hold the paddle blade in the attitude illustrated in FIG. 7 whereas, the channels 39 and 40 on the paddle blade assembly entering positions F and G,

turn the paddle blade so that it is in the position indicated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 9, with the helm amidship, this condition remains until the paddle blade assembly reaches position R and the channels 39 and 40 then move the paddle blade so that it reassumes the faired position as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Between the positions G and Q the tracks 39 and 40 are adjustable by the use of flexible channel-shaped members 42, 43, 44 and 45. The pairs of members 42, 43 and 44, 45 are oppositely shiftable circumferentially of the track by movement of the helm 4l through linkages 46 which rotate shaft 47 (see FIG. 6) and toothed wheel 48 engages rack 49 to move the member concerned. FIGS. l0 and l1 indicate how these linkages vary the position of the members 42 to 45 as the helm is turned to starboard or port. In FIG. l0 there is illustrated the position of the members 42 to 45 with the helm to starboard and in FIG. 1 1 their position is indicated with the helm to port. The attitude of the paddle blades in moving through the divided part of the track is also indicated.

FIG. 13 shows diagrammatically the attitude of the paddle blades in relation to the track as they pass through positions A to X, the attitude of the blades in FIG. 13 giving a straight course indicated at S0 and the attitude of the blades in FIG. I4 giving a curved course to port or starboard indicated at 51.

lt will thus be seen that by the mechanism described above the helmsman is enabled to steer the boat by varying the attitude ofthe paddle blades as they pass through the water,

Although in the above embodiments an engine has been referred to as providing the motive power for movement ofthe paddle blades. such power may be derived from any other suitable power source,

lf desired, two or more propulsion units including track` carrier and paddle blade assemblies may be mounted on one hull to form a craft oflarger power and a carrying capacity,

lclaim:

l. ln a paddle boat comprising a hull and paddle means carried by the hull, the improvement comprising:

a paddle supporting track mounted on said hull in a substantially vertical plane,

contour means on said track,

an endless paddle carrier positioned on the said track and capable ofl movement along the said track,

a plurality of paddle blade assemblies carried by the said endless paddle carrier. projection means on said paddle blade assemblies, and

means for imparting movement of the said endless paddle carrier of hence the said paddle blade assemblies along the said track, said contour means and said projection means cooperating to effect an alteration in the attitude of each paddle blade of said paddle blade assemblies in relation to said track as it passes along said track, the plane of each paddle blade above said hull lying at an acute angle to the vertical plane of said track and the plane of each paddle blade below said hull being substantially at right angles tothe vertical plane ofsaid track. 2. ln a paddle boat as claimed in claim l, the improvement comprising:

each said paddle blade assembly including,

a paddle blade, a mounting, and two spaced projections. said endless paddle carrier including a plurality of spigots whereby each spigot receives a mounting and said projections engage said track to determine the attitude of said paddle blade. V 3. ln a paddle boat as claimed in claim comprising:

adjustable means forming that portion of said track below said hull, and a helm operatively connected to said adjustable means, whereby the attitude of said paddle blades in moving below said hull may be varied to steer the boat.

4. ln a paddle boat as claimed in claim 3, the improvement comprising:

said adjustable means including:

two channel means each for the reception of a said projection on said assemblies, said channel means being oppositely shiftable circumferentially of said track to constrain the said projections on an assembly to alter its position relative to said track.

1, the improvement 

1. In a paddle boat comprising a hull and paddle means carried by the hull, the improvement comprising: a paddle supporting track mounted on said hull in a substantially vertical plane, contour means on said track, an endless paddle carrier positioned on the said track and capable of movement along the said track, a plurality of paddle blade assemblies carried by the said endless paddle carrier, projection means on said paddle blade assemblies, and means for imparting movement of the said endless paddle carrier of hence the said paddle blade assemblies along the said track, said contour means and said projection means cooperating to effect an alteration in the attitude of each paddle blade of said paddle blade assemblies in relation to said track as it passes along said track, the plane of each paddle blade above said hull lying at an acute angle to the vertical plane of said track and the plane of each paddle blade below said hull being substantially at right angles to the vertical plane of said track.
 2. In a paddle boat as claimed in claim 1, the improvement comprising: each said paddle blade assembly including, a paddle blade, a mounting, and two spaced projections, said endless paddle carrier including a plurality of spigots whereby each spigot receives a mounting and said projections engage said track to determine the attitude of said paddle blade.
 3. In a paddle boat as claimed in claim 1, the improvement comprising: adjustable means forming that portion of said track below said hull, and a helm operatively connected to said adjustable means, whereby the attitude of said paddle blades in moving below said hull may be varied to steer the boat.
 4. In a paddle boat as claimed in claim 3, the improvement comprising: said adjustable means including: two channel means each for the reception of a said projection on said assemblies, said channel means being oppositely shiftable circumferentially of said track to constrain the said projections on an assembly to alter its position relative to said track. 